Mikel Arteta drops Arsenal transfer hint which will NOT please Gunners fans

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds at the end of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 20, 2024. Arsenal wins 5 - 0 against Crystal Palace. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta has appeared to suggest that Arsenal will not make any signings between now and the end of the January transfer window.

The Gunners thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 on Saturday to keep themselves well in the Premier League title race, but they have yet to do any winter business to bolster their squad.

And there doesn't seem to be any haste to do so, with their manager insisting he's "happy" with the squad he has at his disposal.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 16: Arsenal manager Mikel Artet during a training session at NAS Sports Complex on January 16, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Will Arteta make any late January acquisitions? (Image credit: Getty Images)

Asked whether his team could beat Liverpool and Manchester City to the title after falling short last season, Arteta said: "We will try our best. We need to make sure our players feel trusted and have the confidence. If they are doubting, that is not helpful. We love the players we have."

Arsenal's comprehensive victory over Palace at the Emirates Stadium was their biggest win of the 2023/24 campaign, with Gabriel Martinelli bagging a brace.

However, the general consensus is that the Gunners still lack a top number nine – a striker to really rack up the goals.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal scores his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Leandro Trossard, signed from Brighton last January, was also among Arsenal's goalscorers against Crystal Palace (Image credit: Getty Images)

That much is evident from the fact that Arsenal haven't had a player reach the 20-goal mark during a Premier League season since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back in 2019/20.

After 21 games of the season, the Gunners sit third. They return to action with a trip to Nottingham Forest on January 30.

More transfer stories from FourFourTwo

As Arteta says he's content with what he's already got, Arsenal are 'set to beat Barcelona' to one of Europe's hottest midfield properties.

Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag is reportedly keen to bring yet another player from Ajax to Man United this month.

Elsewhere, Harry Kane and Eric Dier could be joined by one more former Tottenham and England teammate at Bayern Munich.

And Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea could yet complete a deal for the wonderkid likened to Kylian Mbappe.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...